Jaggar Museum Tours

5 reviews

For the last several years, the Jaggar Museum and its overlook have enjoyed one of the best vantages for spotting glowing lava in Kilauea's summit lake. A must-stop location for all Hawaii Volcanoes National Park visitors, the elongated, single-room rock building houses exhibits on volcanology and Hawaiian culture, with large windows facing the Halemaumau crater. Regular displays include real-time monitors where you can cause your own “earthquake” by jumping; historical volcanic measuring and data gathering equipment; artifacts including the various and unusual types of Hawaiian volcano eruptive material; historical photographs; and a massive mural detailing the fire goddess Pele's relationship to other Hawaiian deities.

Though it’s possible to see the fumes coming out of the crater during the day, or even the nene, Hawaii’s endangered and endemic goose in the parking lot, nature’s real show here happens at night. That’s when the glowing lava, reflected by the vog (volcanic fog) emits a bright orange glow that can be seen for miles. If you’re really lucky—as some visitors were during a brief period in April and May 2015—levels in the lava lake could rise, bringing with it the chance to see lava itself with your own eyes, day or night, as it spills onto the crater floor.

Practical Info

The museum is located off Crater Rim Drive, about 2.5 miles from Volcano House, the only hotel in the park. The museum is open daily from 8:30am until 5pm, but sometimes stays open later for geology talks by park rangers or during certain times of the year. A small gift shop sells HVNP-branded apparel and trinkets as well as informative book and DVDs. Because the summit lake eruption is a natural phenomenon, there is no guarantee the eruption will be occurring in the park during your visit.

Maximize your time on the Big Island thanks to this action-packed, 11-hour excursion covering more than a dozen top sights. Visit one of the world’s most active volcanoes at Hawaii Volcano National Park, taste the island’s best food products like macadamia nuts, coffee, and cookies, learn local history, and discover some of Hawaii’s best waterfalls and beaches.

Explore the fascinating world of active volcanism, biological diversity and past and present Hawaiian culture at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Start at the world-famous Kona Coffee Farm for a deli-style lunch, then visit Punalu'u Beach to look for sea turtles. After arriving at the park, learn about everything from active volcanic craters and steam vents to the historic Jagger Museum. Enjoy dinner at Volcano Winery, featuring a private tour with wine tasting, then watch for current activity at Kilauea Volcano, the most active of the five volcanoes in Hawaii.

Embark on an epic adventure with this Volcanoes National Park tour from Hilo. You'll journey into the largest and most active volcano on earth with your friendly, professional guide, and pay a visit to the Richardson Blacksand Beach. You'll learn about the incredible landscapes that roll out before you and gain insight into the geological and ecological implications of Mother Nature on this stunning park. See the Akatsuke Orchid Nursery, Rainbow Falls, the Maunaloa Macadamia Nut Factory and so much more on this memorable tour that hits so many of Hawaii's hot spots.

Explore the fascinating world of active volcanism, biological diversity and past and present Hawaiian culture at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. First, visit Kalapana, a village destroyed by advancing lava, and the black sand beach on the island. After arriving at the park, learn about everything from active volcanic craters and steam vents to the historic Jagger Museum. Enjoy dinner at Volcano Winery, featuring a private tour with wine tasting, then watch for current activity at Kilauea Volcano, the most active of the five volcanoes in Hawaii.

If you’re spending some time on the Big Island, this all-day tour is a must-do. Set off from Hilo on an adventure to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see Kilauea, one of the most active volcano in Hawaii. Make some pit stops at Richardson Beach Park, Rainbow Falls, and Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is famous for its ever-flowing lava and the planet’s most massive active volcano. This tour journeys to top natural landmarks in and around the park. You’ll visit Rainbow Falls, Richardson black sand beach, Historic Banyan Drive, Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo Bay Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory, Akatsuka Orchid Nursery, and the active volcano of Kilauea. You will also have the opportunity to walk through a lava tube.

Explore the highlights of Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on this guided, 6.5-hour, hot steam volcano tour. Learn about the amazing history of Hilo and the devastating tsunamis that hit this old town. Travel along the Hilo bay area to a popular black sand beach. Then climb through several climate zones and native rainforest to the summit of the active Kilauea volcano inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Feel the heat coming from the magma reservoir inside the active volcano. Entrance fees plus a Hilo airport or hotel pickup/drop-off included.

Embark on an epic adventure with this Volcanoes National Park tour from Kona. You'll journey into the largest and most active volcano on earth with your friendly, professional guide, and pay a visit to the Richardson Blacksand Beach. You'll learn about the incredible landscapes that roll out before you and gain insight into the geological and ecological implications of Mother Nature on this stunning park. See the Akatsuke Orchid Nursery, Rainbow Falls, the Maunaloa Macadamia Nut Factory and so much more on this memorable tour that hits so many of Hawaii's hot spots.

Circle the Big Island of Hawaii along the Mamalahoa Highway on this guided, full-day, small-group adventure. Travel almost 250 miles and visit the two biggest cities on the island, Hilo and Kailua-Kona. Climb through several climate zones and native rainforest to the summit of the world’s most active volcano inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. All while learning about Hawaii’s history, culture, religion, geology and fragile ecosystem. All entrance fees plus a hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

This 7-hour tour allows you to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the early morning, with pickup from your hotel in Kona, Waikoloa, Kohala, or Hilo. Get a comprehensive tour of the park's highlights with snacks, beverages, and entrance fees included.

The Big Island of Hawaii has a diverse ecosystem unlike anywhere else on the planet, and on this day-long nature tour, you’ll experience the beauty of its black-sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you’re lucky, you’ll find Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on the coast. Since the tour only requires a moderate amount of walking, it's an educational adventure for travelers of all ages, with snacks and refreshments included.

On this two-wheeled, adventurous Kilauea tour, explore Hawaii’s active volcano from the comfortable seat of a bike, where you’ll ride through multiple microclimates and past rugged volcanic terrain. This Hawaii bike tour is one of the best ways to explore Kilauea volcano, where every bend in the road reveals a new volcanic wonder, from steaming craters to lava fields to cliffs dropping off toward the sea. Even better, the tour includes visits to the Jagger Museum and Thurston Lava Tube.

See two of the largest volcanoes in the world and stop at one of the most active on this full-day, small-group excursion. First, drive between the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, stopping for lunch at Mauna Kea State Park. Then watch for current activity at Kilauea Volcano, the most active of the five volcanoes in Hawaii. Head to Kilauea National Park to see the beautiful landscapes and enjoy dinner at Kilauea Lodge. Finally, stop at the Jagger Museum to see the nighttime glow at Halemaumau Crater. Hotel pickup/drop-off included.

Experience Hawaii’s most impressive natural wonders by land and by air on this unforgettable Big Island adventure! Soar above a tropical river gorge on an 8-track zipline course that includes one of the longest lines in Hawaii, and fly over Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes on a thrilling helicopter ride. Explore Hawaii’s explosive history with a guided trek through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and enjoy dinner with a glass of wine or wine tasting.

When you’re in port in Hilo, see two of the Big Island’s top natural attractions with a shore excursion to Rainbow Falls and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. From the lush landscape of Wailuku River State Park to the 13,667-foot (4,165-meter) summit of Mauna Loa volcano, this tour provides the opportunity to experience the geological wonders and diverse natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on the Big Island, including the Kilauea volcano, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. On this half-day shore excursion, make an early start and head straight to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park before the large tour buses arrive. Take in highlights including the Thurston Lava Tube, the Jaggar Museum, and the caldera rim, then visit an orchid farm and Macadamia farm on the way back to port.

Pack in some of Hawaii’s most mesmerizing sights during this Big Island twilight volcano tour. Sample Kona-grown coffee from a local coffee farm, keep an eye out for sea turtles at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, and taste Hawaiian sweet bread at Punalu’u Bakery. Then end your experience by stargazing in a secluded location—perfect for taking in views of the night sky.

Private Meet At The Volcano Park Tour
Ideal for those driving over from Kona or Waikoloa. After driving over to the National Park (around a 2 hour drive) let us show you the Volcano sights around the Park. Your guide will pick you up at the Volcano Visitor Center to begin the tour. Start time is flexible.
Visitor Center
Thurston Lava Tube (May be closed for repairs)If you enjoy a good walk - 1.7 mile round trip to the south side of the Kilauea Caldera for some amazing views.Mauna Ulu 1969 to1974 Lava flow where you can walk out on a past lava flow. We will see some of the different formationsCraters along the road to the oceanKilauea Iki the location of a 1959 eruption Kilauea Caldera -See recent changesSteam VentsSea Arch at the bottom of the Chain of Crater

Embark on a high-flying adventure and discover the Big Island’s explosive history with this zipline tour from Kona or Hilo. Soar above a tropical gorge on eight different tracks, including one of the longest ziplines in Hawaii. After a picnic lunch, trek among sputtering volcanic craters and ancient lava fields with a guided tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy dinner at Volcano Winery and get a private vineyard and tea orchard tour, plus a wine tasting or glass of wine.

Immerse yourself in the tropical paradise of the Big Island for a 7-hour exploration of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and local island culture. Discover highlights of the island’s most famous volcanic region during stops at 'hotspots' like the Thurston Lava Tube and Halemaumau Crater. Continue your exploration with a visit to a gorgeous black-sand beach frequented by sea turtles and then a local coffee plantation where you’ll sample tasty treats like honey, chocolate and macadamia nuts. A guide, entrance fees, lunch and round-trip hotel or port transport are also covered.